Bottom line: prolonged submersion of your tattoo in water leaves you at risk of infection, leaches ink from your tattoo causing fading and blurriness, and makes your skin itch and scab which takes the tattoo longer to heal.
A tattoo in a wound. You must not let your tattoo soak in water. Bacteria and stuff can get into it especially if it's sitting in water for too long. If you are already scabby, the scabs can soften and fall off in the water, and ink will seep out from where the scab was.
Prob fine just clean it really well. Just keep an eye for signs of infection like redness, swelling, feeling really warm, oozing etc. I think it will probably be okay though.
Wait 24-48 Hours: After getting your tattoo, wait at least 24 to 48 hours before showering. This allows the initial healing process to begin and reduces the risk of infection.
It is possible to over-moisturize a new tattoo, which can actually delay the healing process. Excess moisture in the skin can create the perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth, potentially causing side effects like inflammation, breakouts, infection, and tattoo blurring or fading.
Skin needs to be a little bit wet to heal. Technically, wet healing is always the best choice — because your body knows what it's doing. There may be situations where wet healing techniques seem a little bit excessive, so it seems easier to skip them, but it's best not to.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
Unfortunately, there's no way to control what your body does while you sleep, but keeping your new tattoo covered during the night will help mitigate the risk of causing any injuries by scratching it.
Method 1 The “Wet” Method (Recommended)
After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged; remove the bandage after 3-4 hours and clean the skin with mild soap and warm water. After washing, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes.
To aid the skin healing process, the tattoo needs to be kept moist. You can use a very thin layer of hypoallergenic ointment or fragrance-free lotion like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion, or Vaseline® Healing Jelly Original. Repeat daily for 2-3 weeks to help wound healing.
What should you do if you accidentally submerge a new tattoo? If you've somehow got your tattoo wet by submerging it in water, there are steps to take that can potentially help. Dr. Shirazi recommends cleansing it with a gentle cleanser, patting it dry, and applying a healing ointment from Aquaphor or CeraVe.
Blowout occurs when the ink extends beyond the intended boundaries of the design, resulting in prominent spots. More often than not, this situation arises due to poor execution of the tattoo.
Days 1-3 are about keeping the tattoo covered but also clean, and allowing it to breathe for a period of time each day. Around days 6 -15 you will get some scabbing, even if you've been applying products.
Keep the time underwater short, the water lukewarm, and avoid soaking your tattoo. Additionally, you usually need to wear a wrap over your tattoo for the first two to three days. You can shower with your wrap, but you should follow the same rules of minimizing your time under the water and only using lukewarm water.
Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink. Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks.
The ink will usually end up looking a tiny bit darker and less vibrant once healed. Of course, a lot of this will be down to the quality of ink used, and the technique of the artist.
Others will tell you that antibacterial ointment is a major "no-no." And the old-school artists advise against using any ointments or lotions at all, saying they may be vehicles for bacteria and can cause infection and scabbing.
It is important not to use any scented creams or lotions. Harsh chemicals can irritate the wound and damage the tattooed skin. A person should also avoid using sunscreen on a tattoo until it is fully healed, as this can clog the pores and trap bacteria.